Contents

Understand

Sen Monorom lies at an altitude of 800 meters which makes it a little bit cooler than Phnom Penh especially during the night.

The city is rapidly developing and so is the tourist industry. You will not find untouched or unspoiled nature or ethnic groups. But even though you might not be the first tourist to lay your eyes on Sen Monorom it is probably one of the least touristic areas in Cambodia and many of the ethic groups still lives pretty much like they always have, but this may soon end if the tourist industry keeps growing in the area.

Get in

It takes 7-8 hours from Phnom Penh but a new paved road is in the process of being built so the trip will probably be shorter when it is finished. It cost around 8-10 dollars from Phnom Penh

It's also possible to arrive from Ban Lung, the capital of Ratanakiri, via private minibus. It takes around 5 hours considering that the road is currently in construction. As of January 15th, 2015 it costed 14$. You can find mini-buses in the off-season from Banlung to Sen Monorom ranging from $8.50 to $10 (traveled July 2015)

Get around

The centre of sen monorom is quite small and can be explored by foot but a bicycle can also be a lot of fun. However if you want to venture off into the forest then the easiest way to get around is on a moto.
Bicycyles are normally available for rent for $3 and Motobikes for $7.

See

There is not much to see in the city. There is a small market next to the bus station. This is the gateway town to Mondulkiri Province an amazing and unique part of Cambodia. Sen Monorom is not touristy and has jungle, rolling grass fields, hill tribes, waterfalls, and winding dirt roads.

Do

Bousra Waterfall is 2 large waterfalls one after the other they are both impressive especially after the rainy season. The first is 30M in height and the second is 40M. You can walk up to both waterfalls and swim and go behind them depending on the season. There is a path that goes around the waterfalls that is about 1 km. Local native costumes can be rented for a dollar and a picture taken for a dollar as well. The entrance fee is $5000 reil and the waterfall is located about 45min away by motorbike.

Specialized tours such as elephant trekking to minority ethic village, and walking treks into the local woodlands and forests can be purchased at most local guesthouses and hotels. Tours to local waterfalls are also available.

Trekking into Seima Biodiversiy Conservation area is a good alternative to elephant trekking. Your money still goes into the local community while promoting wildlife conservation and providing guides w/ employment that doesn't rely on overworked elephants. Poaching and deforestation is still a large problem but this area still retains 7 species of globally threatened primates including the world's largest population of Black-shanked Doucs. Dry season is best for treks when fruit trees are ripe but sightings of wildlife can occur year round. Enquire at the Green House Bar and Restaurant for the next available tour.

WWF are planning to open a Safari style lodge, in the near future on the Srepok River but for now it is still under construction.

To get up and close with elephants that roam free in the natural habitat then visiting the very original Elephant Valley Project (or EVP as it is locally known) is a definite highlight of a trip to this region. It is here that you will be able to see how the local charity ELIE takes care or several herds of retired, former working elephants and rehabilitates them back into their natural habitat. You can not ride them but will however walk with them as they graze the forest and grasslands there. This is proving to be an increasingly popular destination with several copy cat enterprises developing alternatives to adapt to the attraction. Check out their website at www.elephantvalleyproject.org for more info.

Visit the Mondulkiri Project, a protected forest area offering unique elephant encounters and overnight jungle treks. You can walk with, feed, swim with and wash elephants at a waterfall in the jungle. No elephant riding. This new community project employs local Bunong guides and plans to start Mondulkiri's first elephant breeding program. Website: http://www.mondulkiriproject.org.

Buy

You can buy scarves and other handicrafts made by the indigenous people in the shops around the city as well as coffee and honey. There are two made coffee brands that orginate from Mondulkiri, the first is Mondulkiri Coffee which is roasted just outside of town next to the old bank and Chay Mao Coffee which is roasted near the main market. Authentic, pure and locally produced honey can be purchased from the Mondulkiri associations honey shop which is on the main street of Sen Monorom.

ATM

There is one ATM at the ACLEDA bank. It is located across from the Green House guesthouse and is open 24/7. It only accepts Visa Cards and charges $4USD for non-ACLEDA cards. The maximum withdrawal is $250.

There are plans in the works to open a new Canadia Bank opposite the Holiday Guesthouse and this will accept Mastercard.

If you do find yourself stuck without cash in Mondulkiri then consider going to the western union online website and sending yourself money through western union.

Eat

There is a good Khmer restaurant (Khmer Kitchen) close to "The Middle of Somewhere" and by the river Bananas owned by a Dutch lady is also very good however is closing soon due to a lack of customers and too much beer. The Greenhouse is a must for backpackers. It has a good vibe and a very friendly owner. He can arrange for tours and speaks good English. He is also employed by WWF and knows what goes on in the region.

Mondulkiri Pizza, (near Sen Monorom Referral Hospital). Laid back restaurant, friendly owner speaks good English. Open since January 2013. Pizza only menu - several flavor combos. $3USD for a small, $5USD for medium, $8USD for large. Good coffee and free wifi.

Khmer Kitchen. Foreigner friendly with prices accordingly. Has wifi.

Greenhouse. Relaxing spot, good food at average prices. Has wifi.

Drink

Sleep

Nature Lodge, [1]. Bungalows and treehouses available, with or without private bathroom. The Nature Lodge is set in beautiful countryside about 10 minutes away from the main part of town; ask for a pick-up. Treks and tours can be booked at the front desk. There's a nice restaurant and bar as well.from $10.

Tree Lodge, Sen Monorom City Mondolkiri Province, ☎+855(0)977234177. Tree's lodge is a small family place of Tree and his wife.Tree's lodge is a nice and quiet place in the middle of the jungle around Sen Monorom (10 minutes to the center and bus station by walking. For just 3$ you can stay in a beautiful selfmade bungalow.<http://www.treelodgecambodia.com>.

Heng Heng Guesthouse, (next to the Khmer Kitchen). Clean rooms, friendly family - only two people really speak English. $6 for a double bed, fan, ensuite bathroom without hot water.$6.

Happy Elephant Bungalows, (Coming from Greenhouse, take left at the roundabout, walk straight for 15min and you will see indications for the guesthouse). Double beds and twin beds bungalows from 5$ to 8$ no hot water. Dorm 2$. $5.

Get out

[Jan 2015] The Phnom Penh Sorya bus station is on the road downhill from the tourist information office, very close to it. From here, the bus is due to leave at 7.30 for Phnom Penh, where you can change to get to Siem Reap.